# Italian Almond Cookies (Ricciarelli) - gluten free!

These Italian Almond Cookies (Ricciarelli) are chewy, bursting with almond flavor, and studded with dried cherries (optional). They are gluten-free and dairy-free.

- Servings: 20 servings
- Total time: 30 min
- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Dessert
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 2 cups almond meal or blanched ground almonds
- 0.5 cup caster / superfine sugar
- 2 tsp lemon zest (1 lemon)
- 3 drops natural almond extract
- 0.125 tsp salt
- 0.5 cup dried cherries, chopped
- 2 egg whites (from 2 large eggs)
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 extra egg white
- 1.5 cups flaked almonds

## Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F (170°C fan). Line 2 trays with baking/parchment paper.
2. Combine almond meal, sugar, zest, almond extract, and salt. Whisk until well combined, add cherries, and set aside.
3. Beat egg whites and honey to soft peaks.
4. Gently fold egg whites into the dry ingredients.
5. Whisk extra egg white until foamy.
6. Form 1 tablespoon of mixture into 2.5cm balls.
7. Dip balls in foamy egg white, then coat with flaked almonds.
8. Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.
9. Cool completely before serving.
10. Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days or freeze

## Equipment

- oven
- baking trays
- whisk
- electric mixer or whisk
- 2 bowls
- 2 forks
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups

## Tips

- Don't worry about making the cookies look perfect; a rustic look is fine.
- If omitting the almond coating, handle cookies gently as they are fragile.
- Dried cherries are optional; cranberries, raisins, or apricots can be substituted.
- Regular granulated sugar can be used instead of caster/superfine sugar.
- Room temperature eggs whip up better than fridge-cold ones.
- Almond flour may be substituted but expect a slightly reduced almond flavor and potentially drier cookies.
- The almond coating gives a crispy exterior to the cookies and makes them last longer.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.recipetineats.com/italian-almond-cookies-ricciarelli/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/faf0145c-1c45-4503-9744-383f9ab48905
- Extracted: 2025-05-05

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt